There are chests where you can use a lock pick. Be sure to make a savegame before the process !

You'll learn when you've reached an thus unlockable chest, I guess.

And try to stay out of creatures early in the game.

For starters, I think it's a good idea to forge your own sword.

But you don't need to, because you can find old, rusty swords very, very early on the first path. You just need to look around.

Save often !

— “ Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.“ (E.F.Schumacher, Economist, Source)